PROCESSING ULTRASONIC PROBES AT DIFFERENT RISKS OF INFECTION

Everywhere in clinics of different countries, there is an insufficiently adequate processing of sensors and other elements of ultrasound (US) equipment, and this often happens due to lack of awareness of US diagnostics specialists. The purpose of the given work was to analyze the literature data on the principles of processing US probes. To prevent the transmission of microorganisms, the choice of the probe processing option is regulated by the general rules for disinfection of reusable medical devices in accordance with regulatory documents. US probes that come into contact with intact skin are non-critical devices. Such equipment should be cleaned and processed with the help of low to moderate disinfection. US probes that come into contact with damaged skin, blood, body fluids and mucous membranes are considered to be semi-critical and require high-level disinfection and the use of special disposable coatings. Critical devices include US probes that are used for invasive procedures. Sterilization, if possible, or high-level disinfection are used to clean these probes. Furthermore, the use of special disposable coatings is mandatory when examining patients from the risk group. The best option for choosing a disinfection mode, from the point of view of maintaining the operability of the probe, is the recommendation of the US equipment manufacturer.